Lardarius Webb on ACL rehab: 'Everything is going good'

Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb continues to report steady progress in his rehabilitation from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee suffered last October against the Dallas Cowboys.

Participating in the Ravens' voluntary offseason training program, Webb reiterated that he's on schedule to return for this season.

"Everything is going good," Webb said today at team headquarters. "We're just taking our time. I'm just working my butt off. When the time comes, No. 21 will be back. The head trainer [Mark Smith] is pushing me hard and he's taking great care of me."

This marked the second time in his career that Webb has had to overcome a torn anterior cruciate ligament, sustaining a similar injury at the end of his rookie year to his right knee.

"He’s coming along well," Ravens strength and conditioning coach Bob Rogucki said. "That’s a more specific question to be asked to the athletic trainer, but he’s coming along well. Right now, as far as the rehab, he is still under the athletic training staff as far as his legs. I train his upper body. I train his non-involved leg. He is now beginning to run with us, so he is coming along according to course.”

Webb is heading into the second year of a $50 million contract that included a $10 million signing bonus.

Since losing free safety Ed Reed and cornerback Cary Williams in free agency and cutting strong safety Bernard Pollard, the Ravens will be counting on Webb regaining his old form and becoming the centerpiece of an overhauled secondary.

"That's why I'm here now, working out with the guys, interacting with them," Webb said. "The guys like to see you work by example. I try to interact with all the young guys who need extra help."

In four NFL seasons, the 2009 third-round draft pick from Nicholls State has 181 career tackles, eight interceptions and 41 pass deflections.

Webb said he's prepared to take on a mantle of leadership after the depature of Reed, his mentor, and the retirement of linebacker Ray Lewis.

"We're going to continue being the Ravens defense," Webb said. "Ed brought us a lot and he taught us a lot while he was here. We're going to take what he taught us and move on. He's moving on with his career. He's had a Hall of Fame career, the best safety to ever play the game. He taught us a lot of things on and off the field, being a leader. He's always studying.

"We paid attention while he was here. We're going to continue doing what he taught us. He took all of us up under his wing. He was my favorite player. Everything I did was to try to emulate him, trying to be like Ed Reed. He's gone now and I wish him the best. We will continue that tradition. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed taught us so much. We paid attention. I know I paid attention. I know exactly what to do."